Top Java books curated by experts

At MentorCruise, we are all about making the most out of the experience of others. As part of that, we have connected and asked dozens of experts and professionals about their favourite Java books – and here are the answers.

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Top Java books recommended by experts
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Fundamentals of Java

Understanding the concepts of Java starts with understanding the fundamentals. On your way to mastery, it's crucial for you to understand how certain concepts were derived, and why things work like they do. Starting with these resources is the best way to do so.

Test Driven: TDD for Java Developers

Test Driven: TDD for Java Developers

In test driven development, you first write an executable test of what your application code must do. Only then do you write the code itself and, with the test spurring you on, you improve your design.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Core Java

Core Java

For serious programmers, Core Java, Volume I―Fundamentals, Eleventh Edition, is the definitive guide to writing robust, maintainable code. Whether you’re using Java SE 9, 10, or 11, it will help you achieve a deep and practical understanding of the language and API, and its hundreds of realistic…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Effective Java, Second Edition

Effective Java, Second Edition

Effective Java™, Second Edition, brings together seventy-eight indispensable programmer's rules of thumb: working, best-practice solutions for the programming challenges you encounter every day.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Spring in Action

Spring in Action

Spring in Action, 5th Edition is the fully updated revision of Manning's bestselling Spring in Action. This new edition includes all Spring 5.0 updates, along with new examples on reactive programming, Spring WebFlux, and microservices. You'll also find the latest Spring best practices, includin…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

JavaScript: Programming Basics for Absolute Beginners

JavaScript: Programming Basics for Absolute Beginners

Learning a programming language can seem like a daunting task. You may have looked at coding in the past, and felt it was too complicated and confusing. This comprehensive beginner’s guide will take you step by step through learning one of the best programming languages out there. In a matter of…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Head First Java

Head First Java

Learning a complex new language is no easy task especially when it s an object-oriented computer programming language like Java. You might think the problem is your brain. It seems to have a mind of its own, a mind that doesn't always want to take in the dry, technical stuff you're forced to stu…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Additional Java Reading

These books are not required for you to learn Java, but they are highly recommended for you to deepen your knowledge.

Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code

Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code

Refactoring is about improving the design of existing code. It is the process of changing a software system in such a way that it does not alter the external behavior of the code, yet improves its internal structure. With refactoring you can even take a bad design and rework it into a good one.<…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Java: A Beginner's Guide, Eighth Edition

Java: A Beginner's Guide, Eighth Edition

The book also covers some of Java's more advanced features, including multithreaded programming, generics, lambda expressions, modules, and Swing. As an added bonus, an introduction to JShell, Java's interactive programming tool, is included.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Core Java, Volume I--Fundamentals

Core Java, Volume I--Fundamentals

This first of two volumes offers in-depth coverage of fundamental Java programming, including object-oriented programming, generics, collections, lambda expressions, concurrency, and functional programming. Classic material for Swing UI programming is included for those who need it.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Head First Design Patterns

Head First Design Patterns

Using the latest research in cognitive science and learning theory to craft a multi-sensory learning experience, Head First Design Patterns uses a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works, not a text-heavy approach that puts you to sleep.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Core Java Cay S. Horstmann

Core Java Cay S. Horstmann

With hundreds of realistic examples, Cay S. Horstmann reveals the most powerful and effective ways to get the job done. This book is written for readers with prior programming experience who are looking for in-depth coverage of the Java language and platform.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Head First Design Patterns Elisabeth Robson

Head First Design Patterns Elisabeth Robson

This book shows you the patterns that matter, when to use them and why, how to apply them to your own designs, and the object-oriented design principles on which they're based. Join hundreds of thousands of developers who've improved their object-oriented design skills through Head First Design …

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

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